Choose Kindness

Here’s a little bit of history that might just warm your heart. There was a time in our country when, for either lack of money or material, people would repurpose the material from flour sacks to make clothes for their family. This was a common practice during the Great Depression and World War 2 era. In 1939, in Kansas, when the wheat mills realized that mothers were using their sacks to make clothes for children, they decided to do something incredibly kind. The wheat mills started printing floral designs on their flower sacks so that the children would have something nice to wear when the fabric was repurposed. Not only that, but they also made it so that the labels on the sacks could easily be washed out. They saw a need and chose kindness.

It’s not hard to choose kindness, and step outside of your normal routine to bless someone. Kindness is one of the simplest ways to show love. In many respects, kindness is love in action. If we open our eyes, I think we will see that God presents us with many opportunities to be kind each and every day. Here are a few verses that I think remind and encourage us to choose kindness.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
-Ephesians 4:32, ESV

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
-Proverbs 19:17, ESV

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
-1 Peter 3:9, ESV

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
-Galatians 6:10, ESV

Regardless of what’s on your schedule, where you are, or who you’re with, choose kindness today. Open your eyes to opportunities and open your heart to let God’s love work through you. Sometimes it’s the simple acts of kindness that make the biggest difference.

3 Rules for Everyday Life

I want to share a verse with you that gives three simple commands that guide us as we live out our faith in Jesus on a daily basis. In Romans 12:9 the Apostle Paul reminds us,

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”

Today, let your love be genuine. That means don’t pretend or put on a show. God wants us to show real and sincere love. What is that love? It’s a love that finds its source in God our maker. It’s a love displayed in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. It’s a love that transforms lives. It’s a love that is meant to be passed on. God wants you to really love someone today and you are able to do that because He really loves you. Let the love of God fill your cup full, all the way to the brim. Then may that love ever so gently spill over into someone else’s life today because that’s what happens when our cup is full. We love sincerely from the heart. Who do you need to love today?

Also, abhor what is evil. We are called to take the same perspective on evil that God has. We are to abhor it. Don’t be indifferent about what is sinful and destructive. When we allow evil things to creep into our life, we give the devil a foothold. Sin is not just a bad decision, it’s something when fully grown that leads to death. God wants us to release, run from, and repent of the evil in this world. Is there something that needs changing in your life today?

Finally, hold fast to what is good. Hang in there with God and persevere. Sometimes it feels like doing it God’s way isn’t worth it. We may become weary of doing good. Tighten your grip today. Don’t give up on God. He didn’t give up on you. Faith is the glue that helps us to stick with it. Has your faith been fading lately? Open your Bible and let God strengthen it. Where do you need to keep holding fast?

May these three commands from God guide you today.
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” -Romans 12:9, ESV

Saved by the Whale: God's Protection & Plans

In November of this year in the Netherlands, like something straight out of a movie, a Dutch train came flying off its tracks. But instead of plummeting thirty feet to ground, the train was miraculously caught and held aloft by the sculpture of a whale’s tail. The sculpture was put up in 2002 and given a most prophetic name, “Saved by the Whale’s Tail”. Thankfully, everyone got off the train safe and sound. Who would have expected a plastic sculpture nearly twenty years old could hold up a metro train?

This story reminds me of the prophet Jonah. These passengers were not the first ones to be saved by a whale. You remember the story. Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh and tried running from God. Jonah’s plan seemed to be working until God sent a storm to detour the ship Jonah was sailing on. Jonah realizing God was sending him a notice, decided to come clean to everyone on the ship. He told them to throw him overboard and the storm would cease. I would say in part because he did not want these other men to suffer, but also in part because if he drowned at sea he would certainly not have to go to Nineveh. So, they send Jonah headlong into the raging sea and the storm calms. The men on the ship are saved, but so was Jonah. God sent a whale to swallow Jonah. He was saved by the whale.

Why does God show us such grace and mercy? Why does He protect us from unforeseen disaster and even our own stubbornness? I think the answer is quite simple. God still has plans for our lives. Even though Jonah would just as well have cut his life short, God still had a plan for him and brought the reluctant prophet all the way to Nineveh. God still has a plan for all those that were miraculously saved on that train. Maybe you have your own stories of miraculous protection. If you are still here today, that means, God still has a plan for you. God has not brought you this far for you to do nothing. Count your blessings and follow God’s leading.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
-Ephesians 2:10, NIV

Old-Fashioned Prayer

I came across a story that I would like to share with you. It gives us a good little reminder on the importance of prayer. Here is how it goes…

A farmer was entertaining one of his sophisticated relatives from the city. Before the meal, the farmer gave thanks for the food. When he finished, the visitor jeered, “This is old-fashioned; nobody with an education prays at the table anymore.”

The famer admitted that the practice was old and even allowed that there were some on his farm that did not prayer before their meals.

Justified, the relative remarked, “So enlightenment has finally come to the farm. Who are these wise ones?”

To which the farmer replied, “My pigs.”

Prayer is something that we should never outgrow. Prayer is a willingness to acknowledge God. It is a reflection of our dependence upon our creator. Prayer really works. It changes situations and it changes us. Never allow pride, self-reliance, or worldly wisdom to change you in a way that keeps you from prayer.

When we fail to pray, whether we verbalize it or not, we are in a way saying to God, “I don’t need you that much today.” We should not live a life disconnected from God. I need God. You need God. We all need God. Prayer is that ongoing conversation that creates space for God to work and meet our needs.

How is your prayer life? Do you talk to the Lord often? When was the last time you had a sacred little moment talking with Jesus? Have you let things get in the way? Do you feel like you just do not need God quite as much right now?

Let’s all have a little more wisdom than the pigs and spend some special time in prayer today. Thank your heavenly Father for your many blessings. Intercede for those who need help. Take a moment of silence to be refreshed. Receive forgiveness if you have fallen short.

Prayer definitely is old-fashioned but trust me when I say it will never get old.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
-Colossians 4:2